In a big announcement on Wednesday, Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, has announced that the conglomerate will be sponsoring the Indian team travelling to Paris for the 2024 Olympics Games. With the Indian contingent in the last leg of its preparations for the 2024 Olympics, the Adani Group has pledged its whole-hearted support to the champions of the nation through a campaign with the theme #DeshkaGeetAtOlympics. The campaign centres around the athletes, who have spent hours and years in training to win and hear the national anthem after the victory.

The social media campaign has been launched even as the Indian sportspersons continue to put in the hard yards before flying out to Paris for the Olympic Games set to be held from July 26 to August 11.

The campaign, anchored by an inspiring film, encapsulates the relentless dedication of Indian athletes and reignites the feeling of patriotism amongst the audiences as India’s best athletes take centrestage once again.

The film showcases India’s top sporting talent sweating it out as they prepare to head to Paris, aiming to surpass the Tokyo Olympics ‘medal haul and earn the honour of hearing the national anthem at one of the most anticipated global sporting events. In the last Olympics, India finished with a record tally of 7 medals, Adani Sportsline informed in a release on Monday.

The Adani Group is committed to elevating and developing the sporting ecosystem in India in a way that inculcates and drives a sporting culture across the nation. Through its contribution, the Group aims to develop India’s next generation of sporting champions and support them in their journey towards representing India on national and international platforms like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics.

Since 2016, the Adani Group has supported more than 28 athletes in sports like boxing, wrestling, tennis, javelin throw, shooting, running, shotput, brisk walking, archery, and more.

As we get ready for the 2024 Paris Olympics, I wish the very best to the exceptional athletes who will represent our nation on the world’s grandest sporting stage. Their relentless riyaaz and unwavering dedication truly embody the new indomitable spirit of India. I am confident… pic.twitter.com/Oi7GsSj8Zb

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) July 8, 2024

Among those who benefited are Commonwealth Games gold medalist wrestlers Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Deepak Punia and boxer Amit Panghal. Dahiya and Punia also secured silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 2020 and the 2023 Asian Games. The Group also sponsored the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics. The Group was associated with the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, and Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 contingents as official partners as well.

Speaking on the launch of the film, Sanjay Adesara, CBO, Adani Sportsline, said, “At Adani Sportsline, we extend our best wishes to our champion athletes, and hope that we have more success than ever before. With the help of our programmes, we are fully committed to supporting our athletes all the way in their quest for excellence at the highest level in sport. And while they are fighting it out for the top prize, we must support them, cheer them on, and motivate them.”

With IANS Inputs

Mumbai:

A huge rush of supporters in Mumbai’s Marine Drive to celebrate Team India’s historic win in the T20 World Cup left several injured, said police. At least two fans fainted while some had trouble breathing as the crowd jostled to see their World Cup heroes.

The iconic sea face was dotted with supporters as the players went on a short victory parade atop an open-top bus before their grand felicitation ceremony at Wankhede.

The aftermath of the event saw slippers strewn across the road and cars with their roofs dented around Marine Drive, painting an image of the rush. Fans climbed roofs of cars and danced in joy causing damage to them, witnesses said.

A cop was seen carrying a woman who had fainted apparently due to suffocation, away from the swarm of people.

There were complaints of mismanagement as well.

Rishab Mahesh Yadav, a supporter who was at the victory parade, said he slipped in the crowd and fell unconscious.

“The crowd was increasing. I fell and got choked. I became unconscious and taken to a nearby hospital, where I received treatment. I feel fine now. The crowd was more than necessary. There was mismanagement. The police were also not alert,” he told ANI.

Ravi Solanki, who was caught up in the area while returning from office, made a similar allegation.

“The crowd kept increasing. The police were not managing the situation. People started shouting, after which some people fell on each other. It was very unorganised. There was nobody to manage. This happened between 8:15-8:45 pm,” he told the news agency.

The celebrations caused huge traffic jams in South Mumbai with cops stopping traffic vehicular movement towards Marine Drive, which led to chaos on alternate routes.

The Wankhede stadium was packed too – where top BCCI officials felicitated the players with a prize money of Rs 125 crore.

June 29 witnessed India clinching their second T20 World Cup trophy, ending the drought that lasted 13 years. India also became the first team to win the T20 World Cup title unbeaten.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses for group photos with the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team and the championship trophy during a breakfast hosted by PM at 7, LKM, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 4, 2024. The Rohit Sharma-led squad arrived in Delhi early morning after being stranded in Bridgetown, Barbados for five days due to a category 4 hurricane.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team for breakfast on Thursday.

The team led by skipper Rohit Sharma arrived in Delhi in the early morning from Bridgetown in Barbados, where it was stranded for five days owing to a Category-4 hurricane.

“An excellent meeting with our Champions! Hosted the World Cup winning team at 7, LKM and had a memorable conversation on their experiences through the tournament,” Mr. Modi posted on the X platform, tagging photographs of him with the team. BCCI president Roger Binny and secretary Jay Shah were also present along with team’s head coach, Rahul Dravid.

The pictures were later posted by several team members on social media platforms. “What a great honour, meeting our honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. Thank you sir for inviting us to the Prime Minister’s residence,” Virat Kohli posted on Instagram.

The T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team landed in Delhi on July 4 aboard a specially arranged charter flight, five days after winning the coveted title in Barbados where it was stranded due to a category 4 hurricane.

Hundreds of fans, holding placards congratulating their favourite players and waving the national flag, braved a steady drizzle to line up outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport here to welcome the victorious players.

The Rohit Sharma-led squad won the country its second T20 world title, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, on June 29.

Also read: T20 World Champions Team India arrival LIVE updates

The Air India special charter flight AIC24WC— Air India Champions 24 World Cup— took off from Bridgetown, Barbados around 4:50 a.m. local time on July 3 and arrived in Delhi at 6 a.m. (IST) on July 4 after a 16-hour non-stop journey.

The Indian squad, its support staff, the players’ families and some board officials are aboard the flight along with members of the travelling media contingent.

Theside won the crown, which is India’s fourth overall World Cup, after pulling off a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the final on June 29 but was unable to head back home due to a shutdown forced by hurricane Beryl.

The team is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 9 a.m. at his residence.

After this, the team will fly to Mumbai to take part in an open bus victory parade followed by a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.

Indian contingent seen boarding a chartered flight to New Delhi after India won the T20 World Cup 2024, in Barbados, on July 3, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

India men’s T20 World Cup-winning squad will have an extended celebrations in Delhi and Mumbai on July 4, upon its arrival from Barbados through a chartered flight.

Having been stuck in Barbados due to a hurricane, India’s contingent boarded a chartered flight on Wednesday afternoon. The Hindu understands that the squad will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a function in New Delhi on Thursday morning before boarding a chartered flight for Mumbai. 

An encore of the celebrations after the 2007 World T20 triumph has been planned, albeit on a smaller scale. The squad will display the trophy to the fans during a short kilometre-long symbolic open-top bus parade on the iconic Marine Drive. The parade is likely to start at the National Centre for Performing Arts and culminate at the Wankhede Stadium. 

The Wankhede Stadium will witness a function with the squad and the BCCI office-bearers in attendance. It is yet to be confirmed whether the doors of the Wankhede Stadium will be thrown open to the public. 

In 2007, the open-top bus parade started at the Mumbai airport and all through the 25-km stretch en route Wankhede Stadium, thousands of fans cheered for Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men.

Indian contingent seen boarding a chartered flight to New Delhi after India won the T20 World Cup 2024, in Barbados, on July 3, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

India men’s T20 World Cup-winning squad will have an extended celebrations in Delhi and Mumbai on July 4, upon its arrival from Barbados through a chartered flight.

Having been stuck in Barbados due to a hurricane, India’s contingent boarded a chartered flight on Wednesday afternoon. The Hindu understands that the squad will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a function in New Delhi on Thursday morning before boarding a chartered flight for Mumbai. 

An encore of the celebrations after the 2007 World T20 triumph has been planned, albeit on a smaller scale. The squad will display the trophy to the fans during a short kilometre-long symbolic open-top bus parade on the iconic Marine Drive. The parade is likely to start at the National Centre for Performing Arts and culminate at the Wankhede Stadium. 

The Wankhede Stadium will witness a function with the squad and the BCCI office-bearers in attendance. It is yet to be confirmed whether the doors of the Wankhede Stadium will be thrown open to the public. 

In 2007, the open-top bus parade started at the Mumbai airport and all through the 25-km stretch en route Wankhede Stadium, thousands of fans cheered for Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to the Indian Cricket Team on the phone to congratulate the players for their T20 World Cup win against South Africa, officials said.

The Prime Minister thanked coach Rahul Dravid , whose two-and-a-half-year-long tenure as Team India’s Head Coach came to a close after yesterday’s match, for his contribution to Indian cricket. Under Rahul Dravid’s guidance, India’s 11-year ICC title drought ended with Team India’s triumph in yesterday’s match.

Rahul Dravid’s incredible coaching journey has shaped the success of Indian cricket.

His unwavering dedication, strategic insights and nurturing the right talent have transformed the team.

India is grateful to him for his contributions and for inspiring generations. We are… pic.twitter.com/8MKSPqztDV

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2024

PM Modi congratulated Rohit Sharma for his “splendid captaincy” and praised Virat Kohli for his performance in the final match.

Dear @ImRo45,

You are excellence personified. Your aggressive mindset, batting and captaincy has given a new dimension to the Indian team. Your T20 career will be remembered fondly. Delighted to have spoken to you earlier today. pic.twitter.com/D5Ue9jHaad

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2024

Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – announced their T20I retirements yesterday. While Kohli announced his retirement minutes after the triumph, India captain Rohit Sharma announced it in the official post match press conference.

Dear @imVkohli,

Glad to have spoken to you. Like the innings in the Finals, you have anchored Indian batting splendidly. You’ve shone in all forms of the game. T20 Cricket will miss you but I am confident you’ll continue to motivate the new generation of players. pic.twitter.com/rw8fKvgTbA

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2024

PM Modi also praised Hardik Pandya for his final over and Suryakumar Yadav for his splendid catch on the boundary line to dismiss David Miller.

Home Minister Amit Shah also called Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma to congratulate them on the win.

In a video message, PM Modi yesterday had said that the team won the World Cup and also the “hearts of crores of Indians”. No small achievement that they did not lose a single match, he said.

“Champions! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in style! We are proud of the Indian Cricket Team,” Prime Minister Modi posted on X – earlier known as Twitter.

The country witnessed euphoric celebrations last evening as Team India won the T20 World Cup, with fans flooding the streets carrying the Tricolour in their hands.

Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages and images of celebratory scenes as India edged past South Africa by seven runs in the final match of T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval, Barbados to clinch an ICC title after 11 years.

New Delhi:

A galaxy of film stars, led by Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, and Anupam Kher, to Kajol Devgn and Raveena Tandon, and a galaxy of other celebrities from all walks of life joined a delirious nation to cheer Team India for pulling off an incredible T20 World Cup win against South Africa at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Saturday night.

Celebrated screenwriter and poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar was brimming over with pride as he took to X to write: “Calm, cool, focused, together and determined to win. Our whole nation stands to learn so much from these boys!!! Congratulations and thank you, Cricket Team of India.”

Shashi Tharoor, Thiruvananthapuram’s Congress MP and one of the country’s leading public intellectuals, expressed the sentiments of numerous fans when he wrote on X: “Team India won the greatest and most exciting cricket match I have ever seen! Bereft of words … seeing the emotions of the players on both sides on the TV screen says it all … A privilege to be alive and able to witness such a contest. Well played South Africa — and congratulations to the magnificent #BoysInBlue!!”

Tollywood’s Mega Star Chiranjeevi could not contain his joy, like every other Indian. Going on X, he commented: “INDIA ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!! What an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC way to win the ICC T20 World Cup after 17 long years!!! Bravo Virat Kohli!”

Continuing with his roll of honour, Chiranjeevi said: “Take a bow Bumrah, Hardik, Axar, Arshdeep and the triumphant captain Rohit Sharma and the entire team for the superb performances!!! And that out of the world catch by Surya Kumar Yadav is just WOW!!”

Chiranjeevi’s superstar counterpart in Malayalam cinema, Mohanlal, an avid cricket fan, had this to say: “And that ends India”s 11-year wait for an ICC trophy! Team India brings home glory from Barbados, thanks to incredible teamwork, a crucial partnership between Virat Kohli and Axar Patel, and a devastating spell from Jasprit Bumrah, serving up a gripping game that kept us on the edge of our seats until the very last ball! Couldn’t be prouder of this team!”

Gushed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, “What a final!!! Congrats, India, and well played, South Africa. Super World Cup … let us have more cricket in the West Indies and USA!!”

Ritesh Aggarwal, founder-CEO of Oyo Rooms, shared the sense of elation sweeping India. “Unbelievable performance by the entire team!” Aggarwal commented on X. “Though I could not be there in person, this feeling is unreal! Still buzzing from the electrifying India vs Pak match. What a journey it has been.”

Bollywood diva Kajol took to Instagram to share her fangirl moment: “I’m still screaming and can’t get the smile off my face … So so happy and so so proud! So many heroes who performed at this match … truly a team effort!”

Raveena Tandon, who carried a picture of her celebrating holding up the Tricolour, said: “Just amazing #teamindia. Many many congratulations! You don’t know how happy you’ve made your country! What a win!!!!! Bharat Mata ki Jai!!!!!!”

Senior actor Anupam Kher could only exclaim “India” like an excited child in a toy store as he took to Instagram Reels to celebrate India’s historic win after 2007.

Ananya Panday was equally brief, but expressed the sentiments of millions when she described Team India as “our true champions”.

Anil Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna forwarded the BCCI’s celebratory post on X that simply said: “CHAMPIONS!”

Varun Dhawan had more to say. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “What a team what performances @rohitsharma45 leading from the front in every game @virat.kohli the #goat playing his last T20 for India bringing so much joy to every Indian. Rahul Dravid was always one of my most favourite players and now to see him win a World Cup as a coach hits the spot. Bharat Mata ki JAI.”

An emotional Ayushmann Khurana commented: “Whatta match! Whatta bunch! This Indian team has given joy to billions of Indians. We are the world champions! The superpower of cricket! Our generation is the luckiest to see India emerge as the World Cup winners thrice since 2007. Two T20s and one ODI. Learning and taking cues from the last ODI World Cup final, here we are as bona fide winners! Jai Hind!”

Randeep Hooda was a little more analytical. He said: “From the land of batsmen comes a bowling squad that wins it!! Bumrah is the God of swing & Arshdeep & Axar (batsmen too) .. Kohli the bat & Rohit the revenge … heart goes to #SA too, so close and so far too many times … thank you Rahul Dravid.”

Kartik Aaryan, the young Bollywood star who most recently played Paralympian Murlikant Petkar on the big screen, cheered “Team India, who refused to surrender.” He added: “Ab World Cup nahin, dil jeet liya hamesha ke liye (You have won not only not only the World Cup, but our hearts forever). Historic Win!”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The country witnessed euphoric celebrations last evening as Team India won the T20 World Cup, with fans flooding the streets carrying the Tricolour in their hands.

Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages and images of celebratory scenes as India edged past South Africa by seven runs in the final match of T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval, Barbados to clinch an ICC title after 11 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian Cricket Team for bringing the ICC T20 World Cup “home in style”, while President Droupadi Murmu commended their “never-say-die” spirit.

Uttar Pradesh police also joined the chorus to praise Team India’s stunning win, but with a twist..”Breaking News: Indian bowlers found guilty of breaking South African hearts. Sentence: Lifelong love from a billion fanss,”the UP police posted on X – earlier known as X.

: Indian bowlers found guilty of breaking South African hearts.

: Lifelong love from a billion fans! #INDvSAFinal#T20WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/UPaCzgf6vm

— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) June 29, 2024

Two of India’s greatest ever cricketers – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – announced their T20I retirements yesterday after the T20 World Cup win. While Kohli announced his retirement minutes after the historic triumph, India captain Rohit Sharma announced it in the official post match press conference.

The final match against South Africa was a nail-biter, with India defending a target of 176 runs. The Proteas, needing 30 runs from the last 30 deliveries, appeared to have the upper hand. However, India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, held their nerve in the crucial moments. Pandya, in particular, shone in the final over, successfully defending 16 runs and sealing a dramatic seven-run victory for India.

File picture of former England ODI captain Eoin Morgan
| Photo Credit: AP

India’s remarkable reservoir of talent and formidable depth within their squad makes them strong contenders to win the upcoming T20 World Cup, feels former England skipper Eoin Morgan.

India have gone with almost the same squad as they had in the last edition of the T20 World Cup while adding the likes of young Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson.

“The strongest side even with injuries throughout the tournament is India. Their strength and depth is absolutely incredible,” Morgan said on Sky Sports.

Also read | ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024: full schedule, dates and venues

“And it’s almost probably, we’re talking about who the players that were missed out in their squad of 15 because of the quality that they possess.

“They are favourites for me, the quality they have on paper, if they produce it I think they can beat anybody quite well in the tournament,” he added.

India were spoilt for choice as they were forced to leave the likes of Shubman Gill and K.L. Rahul.

“The only decision I would have had differently and if I was selecting the squad, I would have Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal. I have played alongside him, I know how he thinks. I know how he works.

“I feel he’s a future leader within that side and I think in big moments, in World Cups the more leaders the better. Even if he’s sitting on the sideline, you still need inspiration from here and there, a sense of positivity.”

India head into almost every tournament as favourites but they haven’t won an ICC title in over a decade. The last trophy the ‘Men in Blue’ lifted was the Champions Trophy in 2013.

In the last edition of the T20 World Cup they were hammered by 10 wickets by eventual winners England in the semifinals in Adelaide.

“I think they can (win), because they have go to a stage now where Adelaide would hurt, recently losing the (ODI) World Cup at home to Australia in front of 1,25,000 Indian fans.

“The spinner will come into the game, the level of batsmanship will come into the game if the wickets slow down like we think. But also that excellence in power hitting is the point of difference for me. Shivam Dube has to play,I think he’ll set this World Cup alight.

Irony that only time India won T20 WC was pre-IPL: Atherton

Many argue that India’s cricket in T20 format has improved by leaps and bounds since the advent of the IPL.

But former England captain Michael Atherton pointed out that it ironical that the only time India won the T20 World Cup was before the IPL came into being.

“It’s also an irony, because everyone talks about the IPL and how it has improved India’s T20 cricket. The irony is that the only time they have won is pre IPL,” Atherton said.

India were the first T20 World Cup winners in 2007. Under the captaincy of the talismanic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, they had beaten arch-rivals Pakistan.